Posted by Lieutenant Aasrel Izei (Assistant Medical Chief) in New Orders

(snip)

Bethany had managed to get her shuttle. F’actar had flown it out to meet one of their transports. Now Bethany, Rel, and Luna were on board her shuttle, Athena. “There she is,” Bethany said as the huge Mjolnir-class hung in space in front of them. =/\=Shuttle Athena or USS Leviathan. Requesting permission to dock.=/\= Bethany transmitted their orders and identification codes.

After a long pause, =/\=You are cleared to dock Athena. Shuttle bay 2. Leviathan out.=/\= Bethany angled the shuttle, “So much for a friendly welcome.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“Maybe they don’t know who we are,” Aasrel said. He started gathering Luna’s things, figuring they could come back for his own things once their pet was safe in someone’s quarters.

~ Izei, CMO

“Maybe,” Bethany said. Not like we know who they are, either. The shuttle approached the bay doors as they began to open. The force field shimmered into life and then sparked softly as the Athena slid through.

They knew nothing about the ship or its mission. It was locked up tight. Bethany’s paranoia flared. “Maybe we should leave Luna on the shuttle. In case we need to make a quick retreat? I won’t leave without her.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“Hmm. Good idea.” Aasrel left Luna’s carrier and grabbed a different bag instead. He waited to open the door till Bethany was ready.

~ Izei, CMO

The shuttle settled and Bethany began the standby sequence. “You remember how to deactivate the shuttle’s security system?” It was extensive and unique. It would also deliver a painful shock to anyone unauthorized to approach. Bethany had made sure to show Rel how it worked and added him to the shuttle’s command functions.

Aasrel nodded. “I’ve got it memorized.” He said, smiling at her.

She stood from the pilot’s seat and walked toward the back. She scooped up Luna and nuzzled her. “In your carrier, just in case, while we’re gone. You’ll be safe.” She set her in the carrier and closed it. She shrugged into her black leather jacket and grabbed her duffle. “Alright, let’s go.” Aasrel could feel her paranoia building, screaming to turn around a run or to curl up and hide. It killed her outrageous devil may care attitude.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

They exited the shuttle and then went through the door to the shuttle bay. It was a large and spacious ship. But what came around the corner had to be the biggest coincidence of their lives: a woman with long brown hair. Her left eye was a Borg implant. Down her arm was another, and there appeared to be others on her body, covered by her engineering uniform.

Bethany saw her a split second before Aasrel’s panic hit her. His panic and her paranoia was NOT a safe combination in her head. She spun looking for the threat, a hidden knife in her sleeve ready to drop.

But Aasrel wasn’t ready to see that. One moment he was walking happily with Bethany, and then his head turned and he saw the officer, and he stopped dead in the middle of a word with a look of pure panic. “Bethany, that’s… No… I can’t,” he said, between suddenly hyperventilated breaths. Staggering backwards, he tripped over his own feel and fell, only to continue moving backwards on the ground.

~ Izei, AMO

Oh if only calm could reign. Bethany’s instincts told her the woman was not a threat. In fact she felt bad for Aasrel. So many had been traumatized by the Borg, including herself. She wanted to help, but quickly moved down the corridor.

Bethany knelt in front of him. “Rel, look at me.” He didn’t answer. “Aasrel,” she said sharply and still nothing. REL! Look at me! Panic laced her own voice. She’s gone. Get up. We’re leaving. She stood, her increased strength letting her pull him up. Both hands on his shoulders she turned him. Shuttle, now. We’re getting out of here. Everything was wrong. This was a trap, it wasn’t safe.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Aasrel was pulled up by her, but his knees were shaky and he wasn’t so much walking by her as being dragged towards the shuttle. Her panic made his worse. His thoughts were a disordered jumble of fear of Borg, nonsensical fear of the poor crew woman. Until they neared the shuttle and he shook his head repeatedly. “No, Bethany, we can’t leave, we- we’re supposed to be here. We can’t go. We can’t.”

~ Izei, AMO

Walk beside me, Rel. She slipped her PaDD into her bag. If they ask we forgot, I forgot my PaDD with my orders. You can even make a joke about how I am always misplacing things. Come on, we can do this. She would break them out, and then they would disappear. She knew who would help too.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

He was still hyperventilating. They’re gonna get me. Take me back, I’ll be one of them again. I can’t do that. His thoughts went a thousand miles a minute. “I’m… Gonna pass… Out… Beth....y.”

~ Izei, AMO

They could not panic now. Her eyes scanned around and found a out of the way spot blocked by crates and pulled him over there. She forced him to sit and put his head down between his knees. Breath Rel, deep and even. I won’t let them get you. I swear it. She needed to breathe too. She couldn’t get them out of there if she couldn’t focus. She wasn’t Borg. She was liberated, just like you. She’s free. Don’t treat her the way you were always afraid people treated you. That may have come out harsher than she meant it too. It was hard to figure out how to regulate her tone using telepathy, and then other times it was like it just gushed out of her in waves.

Aasrel was sitting on the floor with her, trying to breathe. She could still feel his panic and terror. He gripped her arms tight. I… I know, I’m sorry now he was starting to cry, too. I… I can’t, Bethany, I can’t. Can’t breathe.

She knew the feeling, but she didn’t know what to do for him. Breathe in and out. Don’t use your voice. Just feel me. I’m here with you.

She set a hand on his cheek as she knelt beside him and make him look her in the eye. It’s okay. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Hell, Most of Star Fleet doesn’t know this ship exists. The Borg can’t find it if those they assimilate don’t know about it. The collective is not here. Look around, there are no Borg components anywhere on this ship. She can’t help she still has her implants. Just like he could’t, but now his were gone. She could carry him to the shuttle, but that would attract A LOT of attention. She took a deep breath and blew it out, trying to calm herself so she could think. Rel, breathe and look at me. I love you, and nothing is going to hurt you. I promise.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Aasrel looked at her and smiled a little. He leaned into her so he was resting on her a little. I know, I’m sorry, he said again. I can’t breathe, Bethany. I’m scared.

~ Izei, AMO

Don’t be sorry. There is no reason to be. You are justified in being startled and scared. She took his bag and dug through it. She was looking for the medicine he gave her for panic attacks. She found it and pulled out the hypo. Or should I call for medical?

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

No! Don’t call medical. Please. I have to WORK with them after this. They can’t see me like this. Don’t call them. Aasrel insisted, still panicked. Just stay.

~ Izei, AMO

That was fine with Bethany. She didn’t want to call them. She didn’t trust strangers, but she would have if that was what he wanted.

His words sunk in though. They had to work with this crew. This place was their orders. Everything in her told her to run. She shook her head. *I’m not going. Come on, how much of this? I don’t know how long we can stay here or when they might come looking.”

After he took the hypo she loaded it with a heavy sedative and slipped it into the holster on his belt. She rested a hand on the back of his neck and pressed her forehead to his. I’ll keep you safe, just… just don’t leave me.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF